THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1918, Page 1

THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

GHEATIYOBK BY THE ARTILLERY

WELLINGTON, -April 23

The following message, dated April 21st, has been received from the New Zealand official war cforrespondent, Mr Malcolm Ross:

Wlhile some New 'Zealanders have been engaged in assisting to stein the German onslaught on 'Amiens, others of their comrades, including an entrenching battalion, cyclists, and some artillery, have been hotly engaged in the northern battle. All these, though some of them wece not greatly experienced in active warfare—for they u. eluded reinforcements and even cooks—have worthily upheld the traditions ol the New Zealand Force. For some time now there has been a camp in France through which our Reinforcements filter. Its comandaiit fought on Gallipoli, and though he limps about with a rather bady shattered leg, he is one of our keenest soldiers ; therefore when the call came to bring up reinforcements ho was in his element, his only regret being that he will not be allowed to take command in the field. The enemy was trying to open out the gap at Meteren, north of Baillcul, and the New Zealanders, who had to he ready in six hours, were brought up in ’buses. At first they were employed in digging at; posts and strong points, which they did under machine-gun fire, but um, much.shelling. Later, when the enemy, taking all risks, attempted to push forward quickly, our men, combined with English troops, helped to stem the rus* near Metercn, just as the situation was becoming clangorous. Two days later, just as they wore on the point of making an attack, they found their flank dangerously threatened, and had to lull hack oil ,a lino previously selected. One small body were cut off by the enemy and probably taken prisoners. All this time there was still fighting.- ' On April 14th, the situation had lie come obscure and difficult", and another call reached the camp that more men were needed. Among the men left were some' artillery reinforcements. Hie 'situation was explained to these me and they cheerfully and unanimously volunteered to fight as infantrymen. "Within three-quarters of an hour they were equipped as such, paraded, and were given brief instructions, in musketry, bayonet fighting, and -outpost work. Some few artillerymen who could not be spared from the horse lines petitioned to join their comrades, and owing to tho action of servants and unfit men volunteering to work double time and look after the horses, these artillerymen had their wish gratified. Within 24 hours they were on their way to the Metercn front. "When they arrived there- they found that, the situation had so improved that th’eir services were not required except for traffic control and such work. Their disappointment was keen. ,

During a lnirried visit to the northern battle-front I > saw the English commander under whom these New Zealanders fought, and found him enthusiastic about all they had done. “For several days,” he said, “they fought magnificently, and they also dug the trenches. They killed an enormous number of Bodies.” 'Cyclists and some mounted troops also fought in this battle, and had plenty of shooting, ns the enemy came on through the open farmlands.

Meanwhile' a little, farther afield the New Zealand artillery was distinguishing itself under extraordinary circumstances in the same battlii. Having received word of an impending attack they put .down a barrage on the enemy front before his advance .commenced, later in the day they suddenly fourd themselves without any-of their <mn infantry in front, of them, and saw the German waves advancing upon them. One .battery tired its-guns over open sights upon the enemy, till the latter got within 500 yards and until it was almost surrounded. While koine of the guns were firing right ahead others were slewed round until they were ■'actually firing in the rear of the battery (lank. gome German machine gunners wore seen to advance and occupy a house! Tho New Zealand gunners promptly trained their guns on Him house and blew it into hits; then Him dismantled their'guns of all removable 11 arts so that they could not he used by the enemy. By all the rules of the game the personnel of the battery should now have been taken .'prisoner or killed or wounded, hut these gallant follows were not to lie so easily got. They had in the meantime seized some Lewis guns and rifles and now proceeded to fight their wav back as infantrymen, • which they did successfully, bul not altogether without loss. One would litive thought that l>v this time they might very well have been prompted rest on their achievements, but not so. •Before long they wore supplied with new guns, and within 24 hours they were in action again with , those. The other batteries fought a rearguard action hack to their new positions with-' the loss of a single gun, and (lie whole are. still shooting with much success in a very warm corner of the battle field. ' 4